Everybody Can Believe

By God’s grace we’re justified through faith in Jesus Christ. But what is faith? How can I be certain I have the kind of faith that brings me justification? To help us better understand the nature of faith, the Bible turns our attention to Abraham, father of faith:

• What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Romans 4:3
• Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” Romans 4:20-22

The essence of faith is trust. To have faith in someone is to trust that person. Abraham believed God, he had a trusting relationship with God. Not only he trusted God the person, but also God’s ability to fulfill his promise. He was fully persuaded that God was able to do what he had promised. It was through this kind of trust Abraham was credited with righteousness.

Everybody can believe. We all have the ability to trust. Human behaviorists tell us that trust is the first moral character noticed in human beings. A baby naturally trusts the person who feeds and holds it, usually its mother. To trust is natural, to distrust is learned. Kids trust their parents; their faith is strong. It is adults who are not trusting. We learn to distrust people in the process of growing up; we reclaim our trusting nature as we become children of God.

Faith Grows

Everybody can believe, albeit to different degrees. The Bible never says each believer has the same degree of faith, on the opposite, it affirms the fact that some is strong in faith while the other is weak in faith.

Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. Romans 14:1

Faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17). We all become Christians through hearing the gospel. No one is a Christian without hearing the gospel. We hear the gospel and put our trust in Jesus Christ, and we’re saved. From there each believer’s faith grows at different pace. Some remains an infant, some grows to be a spiritual giant. Some is unwavering in his/her trust in Christ, some has ups and downs. But as long as you believe in Jesus Christ and him crucified, you are justified.

Dear brothers and sisters, by God’s grace we’re justified, by God’s grace we shall grow. Put your trust in Christ. Let your faith grow in life’s ups and downs. Remain in God’s love, but not spiritual infancy. Connect yourself to the body of believers, serving the Lord together. Tune in to God’s word. Worship him regularly. Be faithful. Be strong.

Faith Never Gives Up

It is common knowledge that people of faith handle life situations better. They face the same challenges other people face, but always come out better. They fail, stumble, succumb to temptations just like others, but they always recover. The never give up. God always sees them through.

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (Romans 8:37)

Faith may not prevent you from making mistakes, but it always prevents you from giving up. Abraham made mistakes, that didn’t prevent him from being the father of faith. Peter denied his Lord three times, that didn’t prevent him from being the powerful apostle on the Pentecost and beyond. The fact is with faith there is always hope. With hope we never give up. We always press on.

The Righteous Shall Live by Faith

For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” Romans 1:17

Faith is a channel through which God’s grace flows. It brings down a sinner’s justification that gives him access to the presence of God. You, the justified, face life’s ups and downs just like the unjustified, with the exception that you’re directly connected to God. The channel of faith brings you from the Mercy Seat daily grace that sustains and empowers you. You never give up and always come out better and stronger. You believe God, believe in his promises. You are the justified, the righteous one. You live by faith.